Photographic



June 7,1927. 1,631,476

c. DE MOOS PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DEVELOPING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet l FIj E Q I I I I F ATTOR N EYS.

WITNESS 1 1927. l c. DE MOOS PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMDEVELOPING MACHINEINVENTOR F Cfzarles' ffl Filed June 9, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

June 7, 1927. 1,631,476

c. DE Moos PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DEVELOPING MACHINE Filed June 9. 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

June 7, 1921. 1,631,476

c. DE Moos PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DEVELOPING MACHINE Filed, June 9, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 4 1 F50 fl/ WITNESS INVENTOR Gizarksalgflloos, BYWX a I;'/Ir "I ATTORNEYS.

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Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

CHARLES DE MOOS, OF FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO EASTMAN KODAK COM-PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NE?!- YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM-DE VELOPING MACHINE.

Application filed June 9, 1922. Serial No. 567,146.

This invention reiatesto photography and more particularly tophotographic film-developing machines of the type used in completing thevarious treatments necessary to produce the motion picture film negativeand positive films. One object of my invention is to provide a machinein which the film in the developing bath will not be spoiled by anaccident to the film in other partsott the machine; another object is toprovide a compensating take-up chamber which will receive an extraquantity of film when an emergency arises; another object is to providean automatic feed for the takeup chamber; another object/is to provide amovable film rack which forms a part of the takeup mechanism, togetherwith an automatic clutchv for the take-up chamber; another ob ject is toprovide a driving mechanism for thefilm strip; another object is toprovide a drying chamber and means for allowing for the film shrinkagetherein; still another object is to provide an automatic device whichwill cooperate with the take-up chamber automatic clutch to control thefilm band; and a further object is to provide means for adjusting theloops in both the take-up and the drying chambers. \Vith these and otherobjects in'view, theinvention consists in certain improvements andcombinations of parts all as'will be hereinafter more fully described.the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of thespecification.

In the drawings in which like reterehce characters denote like partsthroughout:

Fig. 1 is a view of a complete machine constructed in accordance withand illustrating one form of my invention, parts hein; shown in sectionand parts in elevation. unessential details being omitted;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view or the drive;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an electrio circuit used with themachine shown in Fig. 1 is a section through a portionot' the dryingchamber driving mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the drive shown in Fig. 4;;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a magnetic clutch;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan of the hand or power drive for the developing bathmechanism;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail. partly in section taken on line 9-9 ofFig.v 8;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line 10 -10 of Fig. 9; g V r Fig. 11 is adetail of a mechanical clutch operating mechanism used in the take-upchamber;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-42 of Fig. 1; and i Fig. 13 is anelevation of a pulley rack.

A strip of film is drawn successively through the developing and fixingbaths A and B, and'then into a take-up chamber C from which J the stripmaterial is drawn through a spraying bath D into special treatment bathE, then through wipers F, into a drying chamber G. Fromthis chamber thefilm is drawn by suitable mechanism and is finally wound into acompleted roll at H. In chamber C, I have provided an automatic loopingmechanism which will be of sufiicient capacity to hold at least thequantity of film which can be treated in bath A at one time. Forconvenience the right-hand side of the machine in which tanks A and Bare located is called the dark side as these operations are conducted ina darkened room X, and the left-hand side the light side. where tanks Dand E are located in a bright room Y, with the take-up chamber C inbetween.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1. the :tihn is drawn from a core 1,over idler 2 by means of a sprocket 3 after which it passes oversuitable lower rollers 4t and upper rollers 5 which run free upon theirrespective shafts. Rollers 4 are supported upon rods 6 which projectabove the top oi tanks A, these rods normally remaining in the positionshown. From one roller 4 the film passes over an upper idler roller 7oi. which there are a series. below which there are a series of rollers8 carried by a floating rack 9. A sprocket 1,0 draws the film overrollers 7 and 8; and in the machine here shown a second sprocket 11draws the film over second sets of idlers 12 and 13, the latter beingcarried by a floating rack 14. In this way the film is led through thedeveloping bath. One of the floating racks 9, carries a chain which isaflixed at the upper end to a dial 16 which indicates the time, by meansof a hand 17, indicating the time it takes for the developing operation.This device has been patented, see Patent No. 1,467,106, photographicfilm treating apparatus, issued to Chasv de Moos Sept. 4, 1923.

From bath A the film passes into the fixing bath B, propelled by aseries of sprockets 18 below which there are idlers 19, from the last ofwhich the film passes out of the tank over idlers 20 and 21 and thenceinto the take-up chamber 0, a sprocket 22 in this chamber feeding thefilm.

The power for turning the sprockets so far described is derived from themotor 23 which drives the main shaft 24 through the worm 25, gear 26,and the chain 27 and sprockets 28 and 29. A chain 30 connects sprockets31 and 82, the former being-connected to the film-driving sprocket 22 bya chain and the latter driving chain 36 which passes over idlers 33, 34and 35 and then over a series of sprockets driving the film sprockets 3,10, "11 and 18. In Fig. 2 only the film-driving sprockets are shown ashaving teeth, the chain sprockets both idlers and drivers being shownplain.

Sprocket 22, the intake sprocket, is'driven from shaft 24 by a sprocketafixed to shaft 24, it being the function of member 22 to feed the stripmaterial into the take-up chamber. Here as shown in full lines, thelower, or movable rack 36 moves on guides 37 embraced by rollers 39, andits normal position is raised as shown. The film is looped about rollers40 on the top fixed rack and over idlers 41 on the lower rack. Film isdrawn from this chamber by a sprocket 42, known as the exit sprocket,which is separately connected by a chain 43 to drive shaft 24-. Thereare a series of rollers on each shaft in the take-up chamber, just asthere are in the drying chamber racks shown in Fig. 12. The number isdetermined by the film which can be in the developing bath A at onetime, here, about 490 feet. This takeup chamber is designed so that atleast 4-25 feet of film will pass into the loop as the lower rack 36moves from position shown in full lines to that shown in dashed lines,Fig. 1. This, naturally, can only occur when pulley 42 is stationary andpulley 22 is mo ing. Th us film is temporarily stored in this chamber.

From sprocket 42 the film passes through the series of tanks of thebaths D and E where the film is sprayed, tinted or toned or where anydesired treatment can be given. The sprockets 43 carry the strip overrollers 44 through bath D; while sprockets 45 carry the film overrollers 46 in baths D. From tank I) the film passes through a vacuumsuction device 47 and a film wiping pad E into the drying chamber G.

This chamber comprises two sections, 48

and 49, separated by a partition 50. Air is circulated through one, overthe partition into the other chamber. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13the film is looped about idler rollers 51 after passing over the intake64, and 66 being driven by 67. A second belt 68 passing vover idlers 69,70 and 71 drives the sprockets 43 and 45. A belt 72 transmits power fromdrive roller 42 to sprocket 43. Thus when drive roller 42 steps, all ofside Y of the machine stops moving.

From the last roller 58 of rack 59 the film passes over idler 72 beingdrawn by sprocket 78, after which the completed film passes over asuitable guide roller 74 to the windup mechanism 75 and 76. Thecompleted film may be wound into a roll H by power through 75 or by handif desired by handle 77, the latter being only used in emergencies.

he usual variations in the length of the film bands are cared for by thefloating racks in the drying chamber, but it is desirable to stop thelight side (Y) of the machine if the film should break in the dryingchamber. This is accomplished by an automatic clutch operated in thefollowing manner: hen rack 53 or 59 moves beyond a limited distance(Fig. 3) in either direction, by rolling off of the insulated portion 86of rails 55 and 60. a circuit is made energizing solenoid 81, lighting alamp 82, and ringing a bell 83, all simultaneously, as these are allconnected to wires 7/) and P conventionally indicates a source of power.

First, the solenoid 81 6) when encrgized throws out clutch block 84:slidable on, but keyed to turn with, drive shaft 85. Film sprocket 42 isaffixed to this shaft and, therefore, stops when the solenoid operates.The clutch block is embraced by a yoke 86 which comprises one side of abell crank lever pivoted at 87 to the frame 88, and having one end 89engaging the core 90 of the solenoid. Sprocket 91 runs freely upon shaft85 being driven by a chain (not shown) held on the sprocket by idler 92supported by the casting 92 which is partly broken away. Pins 93 engagein suitable apertures in the clutch block when thrown in. This may beaccomplished by a pull chain 94 attached at 95 to a lever 96 pivoted at97 to the frame, and pivoted at 98 to the solenoid core. By pulling thechain after eanne the circuit is broken, sprocket 12 is started.

After the circuit is once made as above described it is necessarytoreturn the racks 53 and 59 to their initial position to the break thecircuit, although switch 99 can be used if desired. To return the racksto their original position the following mechanism may he used:Referring to Fig. 4-, a shaft 99 is driven by a sprocket 100 under thepower furnished by a chain 61 normally pressed to the sprocket byrollers 101. and 102 carried by the lever 103 pivoted at 104: to frame105. A roller 106, also carried by the lever is below the chain and willraise it from the sprocket-when the lever is moved by pulling chain 107attached to lever 108 pivoted at 109 to a frame and connected by a link110 to lever 103. The chain 107 can he pulled to cause the chain 61 toleave the sprocket wheel after which a further movement causes thefriction pad 111. car ried by arm 112 of lever 103 to contact with theface of a drum 11.2 il-lllKGCl to shaft 99 stopping the rotation of theshaft or exerting a braking action according to the pressure appliedupon chain 107.

To rotate shaft99 at a different speed from that obtained from the chain61 the chain'61 is raised from the sprocket just enough to release thedriving connection but not to apply the brake. A handle 113 can then bethrustinto operative engagement with clutch block 113 and the shaft 11%can be rotated through gears 11%, 115, pulley 110, belt 117 and pulley118 affixed to the shaft. This shaft carries the film sprocket 52 and asimilar mechanism can be used for sprocket 56 if desired.

lVith the above described mechanism-the lilni racks and 59 can he raisedor lowered as the case may require either by actually rotating thefilm-driving spools by hand, or by momentarily releasing them from theirmechanical drive.

v heu the light side Y of. the machine has stopped itis ohvious that thefilm heing developed would be ruined unless removed from the developerby drawing through the tank in the usual manner. If the light side ofthe machine is stopped through accident or otherwise, first the solenoidabove described is energized second the lamp is lit; and third the bellS3 is actuated; these last two being signals to no ti fy the machineopcratm' of the condition of the film in the machine. The operator thenmakes a loop of film is shown at 120, Fig. 1, so that he can then havetime to sever the filnrF and attach the leader strip or dummy band g.The loop is made by manually pulling the film from the idler Sprockets3, 10. 11, 18 and 22 are still mo ing and draw the film from loath Ainto bath B. the leader G being drawn into the first bath. During thistime the rack 36 is moving down as sprocket 412 is not. moving. hen itreaches its lowermost. position, (dashed lines, Fig. 1) it automaticallystops the dark side X of the machine, as will he hereinafter described.As can readily be seen this operation of the take-up chamber.i'nechanisn'i saves practically all of thei'ilm being developed. Aslightly prolonged time in the fixing solution is not injurious to thelihu. the sprockets continue to move at a constant speed all of the filmreceives the same development, which is, of course, necessary.

In order to stop the sprockets on side and sprocket 22 of the take-upchamher, a mechanical trip is used. As shown in Fig. 11 this consists ofa rod movable vertically in bearings 131 and having two stops 132, 133adjustable on the rod by set screws 134-, 135, and placed in the path ofthe movable rack 36 so that in its upper position (full lines) the rodis raised, in which position it remains until the rack moves to itslower position (dashed lines) where it strikes stop when the rack willmove the rod down. The upper end of the rod 136 carries a yoke 13'! andpin 138 the lat ter passing through a slot 139 in lever 103'. This leveris similar to lever 108 in Fig. 4:, and is pivoted at 109 to a frame andhaving; a link 110 engaging a lever operating a clutch in all respectslike that shown in Fig. 4, so that it will not be again described.Therefore, when rod 130 moves up, pulley is power driven, and, whenmoved down. is unclutched and stopped by the brake. luh leys 3, 10, 11and 1.8 are likewise actuated or stopped by this mechanism as they areconnected to itby the belts 22, 30 and 30, so all these sprocketsnormally move as a unit.

It is desirable, however, that sprockets 3, 10, and 11 be, at times,moved separately from the others, since it is necessary to use these tovary the depths of the idlers il, 8 and 13 in the bath A. to. controlthe time of the development. For this purpose I have provided a clutchas is shown in Figs. 8 to 10. Here film sprockets 3. 10 and 11 are shownas mounted on shafts 1410, 14:1. and 1 1-2, each being), supported by asimilar hearing 14-3 on the I beam 144. Collars 1 15 definitely locateeach of the shafts, 1 10, 14-1 and 142, and a clutch. is carried on eachshaft of the following type: Sprocket M6 is the power sprocket driven bychain 30 and runs free on the shaft. Sprocket 147 also runs free on theshaft and is driven by a short chain 148. Between these SPIOCKQtS thereis a clutch block 14-9 with pins 150 to engage one or the other of thesprockets, being actuated by a yoke 151, attached to a rod 151 which canbe moved by handle 152. The clutch block 1 19 is keyed at to the shaftbut is slidable thereon. A series of brackets 153 are affixed to the Ibeam 144 forming the supports for the clutch block operating rod 153.One of the shafts, here shown as 140, carries an operating handle 155 bywhich sprockets 3, 10, and 11 can be manually operated after moving theclutch to the proper position. With this adjust ment the idlers a, 8 and13 can be quickly regulated, their depth in tank A indicating on dial 17the time of development.

In Fig, 12 the section through the drying chamber shows that the drivingsprockets 52 and 56 are of much smaller diameter than the idlers 51 and57. The large sire of the idlers is an advantage as friction ismaterially reduced and the strain on the film is considerably lessened.As shown in Fig. 13 the idlers are preferably of a type having flanges170, raised, slightly angularly shaped film contacting seats 171 and areduced central hub 172. Thus only the edges of the film touch therollers as is shown in dashed lines at 173.

It will also be noted from Fig. 9, that sprocket 3 is constructed withthe teeth 180 only on one side, there being flanges 181 for guiding thefilm F. The edges 182 of the sprocket are raised to contact with thefilm band, and there is in addition a central rib 183 which contactswith the film back. This rib is useful in connection with the one sidedriving sprocket as it assists in properly guiding the film. But ifdesired the usual form of spool contacting at the edges only may beused, as shown in Fig. 8.

In this specification where film is referred to, it is intended to covernot only the negative and positive films generally used in the motionpicture business, but also any photographically sensitive coatingapplied to any desired flexible base.

It is obvious that when the film is not to be tinted, toned or otherwisetreated, the baths, E, may be omitted and the film will then pass fromthe drive sprocket 13 over the drive rollers 15 and through the suction41.7 and thence into the drying cabinet with out looping about rollers46 in the bottom of the tank.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a film-treating machine, the combination with means for moving afilm band through a series of treatment baths, of means forautomatically stopping the movement of a portion of the film band inadvance of stopping the movement of the entire film.

2. In a film-treating machine, the combination with means forcontinuously moving a film band through a series of treatment baths, ofmeans for stopping a portion of the film band in advance of stopping themovement of the entire film band, and means for automatically storingtemporarily a portion of the film.

3. In a film-treating machine, the combination with means for drawing'afilm continuously through a plurality of treatment baths, of meansbetween two of the treatment baths for temporarily storing film."

4:. In a film-treating machine. the combination with means for passingfilm through a series of treatment baths, of sprockets operating at auniform speed for feeding the film into each of the baths, means forstopping the film-feeding sprockets for some of the baths and automaticmeans for stopping the remaining sprockets after a predeterminedinterval of time.

A film-treating machine adapted to continuously move a film band througha series of baths, and through a drying chamber, means for stopping themovement of said film, and means for first stopping the film fromentering the drying cabinet, second, means for continuing the movementof the film hand through some of the baths and, third, stopping themovement of the film band throughout the machine.

6. In a film-treating machine, a plurality of baths, a take-up chamber,an incoming and an exit filmdriving sprocket for this chamber, means forcontrolling the operation of the exit sprocket, a variable film-1eceiving mechanism comprising means for increasing and decreasing thequantity of film in the take-up chamber, and means for controlling theincoming sprocket automatically through the movement of the variablefilmreceiving mechanism.

7. In a film-treating machine, a plurality of baths, a take-up chamber,an incoming and an exit film-driving sprocket for this chamber, meansfor controlling the operation of the exit sprocket, a variablefilm-receiving mechanism comprising means for increasing and decreasingthe quantity of film in the take-up chamber, automatic means forstarting the incoming sprocket after the film-rereceiving mechanism hasa predetermined quantity of film thereon, and automatic means forstopping this sprocket after the film-receiving mechanism has adifferent prc determined quantity of film thereon.

S. In a film-treating machine, a plurality of baths, a take-up chamber,an incoming and an exit filmdriving sprocket for this chamber, means forcontrolling the operation of the exit sprocket, a variablefilm-rcceiving mechanism comprising means for increasing and decreasingthe quantity of film in the take-up chamber, and means for automaticallystopping the incoming sprocket when the take-up chamber has received apredetermined quantity of film.

9. A film machine comprising a plurality of treatment baths, a dryingchamber, a

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take-up chamber, a source of power, means for driving the film from thesource of power including an intake sprocket andan exit film drivingsprocket carried by the take-up chamber, floatingfilm racks in thedrying chamber and in the take-up chamber, and automatic means forcontrolling the exit sprocket through the movement of the drying chamberfloating rack.

10. A film machine comprising a plurality oi. treatment baths, a dryingchamber, a take-up chamber, a source of power, means for driving thefilm from the source of power including an intake sprocket and an exitfilm-driving sprocket carried by the take-up chamber, floating filmracks in the drying chamber and in the take-up chamber, and automaticmeans for controlling the intake sprocket through the movement of thetake-up chamber floating rack.

ll. A film machine comprising a plurality ottreatment baths, a dryingchamber, a takeup chamber, a source of power, means for driving the filmfrom the source of power including an intake sprocket and an exitfilm-driving sprocket carried by the takeup chamber, floating film racksin the drying chamber and in the take-up chamber, and automatic meanscontrolled by these racks for controlling the exit and the intakesprockets.

12. A film machine comprising a plurality of treatment baths, a dryingchamber, a take-up chamber, a source of power, means for driving thefilm from the source of power including an intake sprocket and an exitfilm-driving sprocket carried by the take-up chamber, floating filmracks in the drying chamber and in the take-up chamber, separateautomatic means for controlling the movement of these sprockets, theexit sprocket being controlled by the drying chamber floating rack andthe intake sprocket being controlled by the take-up chamber sprocket.

13. In a film-treating machine, the combination with mechanism formoving a film through a series of treatment baths, two clutches includedin the film-moving mechanism, a take-up chamber, and means for operatingone clutch to stop a portion of the film band, and means forautomatically actuating the second clutch to stop the remainder of thefilm band, the take-up chamber receiving a length of film band movedafter the first clutch is thrown out.

14. In a film-treating machine, the combination with a driving mechanismfor mov ing a film band through a plurality of baths, of a take-upchamber, a movable film rack in the take-up chamber, an exit filmdrivingsprocket and an intake sprocket, clutches between these sprockets andthe film-driving mechanism, the intake sprocket clutch being meansoperated by the movable rack for starting the intake sprocket byactuating the clutch When the rack 1s 1n one positlon, and stopplng thesprocket by actuating the clutch when the rack 1s m another position.

16. In a film-treating machine, the combination with a driving mechanismfor moving a film band through a plurality of baths,

or a take-up chamber between several oiv the baths, a movable rack inthe take-up chamber, a film-driving sprocket at the exit and afilm-drivingsprocket at the entrance to the take-up chamber, clutchesbetween these sprockets and the film-driving mechanism, and automaticmeans for throwing in the entrance sprocket after the exit is thrown in,and automatic means for throwing off the entrance sprocket after theexit sprocket is thrown ofi, said automatic means in each case beingcontrolled by the movable rack in the take-up chamber.

17. In a film treating machine, the combination witha driving mechanismfor mov ing a film band through a plurality of baths, of a take-upchamber, film-looping mechanism in this chamber for carrying a large ora small quantity of film, film-feeding sprockets at the exit andentrance to this chamber,clutches between the sprockets and the powerdrive, and automatic means including the looping mechanism forcontrolling the time in which one clutch will operate relative to theother.

18. In a film-treating machine, the combination with a driving mechanismfor moving' a film hand through a plurality of baths, oi? a take-upchamber, film-looping mechanism in this chamber for carrying a large ora small quantity of film, film-feeding sprockets at the exit andentrance to this chamber, clutches between the sprockets and the powerdrive, the intake sprocket clutch being thrown out by the loopingmechanism aiiter the exit sprocket clutch has stopped through thefilm-looping mechanism carrying a large quantity of film.

19. In a film-treating machine, the combination with a driving mechanismfor moving a film band through a plurality of baths, of a take-upchamber, film-looping mechanism in this chamber for carrying a large ora small quantity of film, film-feeding sprockets at the exit andentrance to this chamber, clutches between the sprockets and the powerdrive, the intake sprocket clutch being thrown in after the exit clutchhas been thrown in and the size of'the loop in the take-up chamber isreduced to a small quantity of film there being operative con nectionsbetween the looping mechanism and the intake sprocket clutch.

20. A machine for the continuous treatment of film having a plurality ofstations for supplying film for treatment, rewinding film aftertreatment and for operating on said film, and a chamber between two ofsaid stations for storage of a reserve supply of film, a film feedingmeans for driving film as it enters said chamber, an independentlycontrollable film feeding for means driving said film as it leaves saidchamber, rollers fixed at the top of said chamber and a weighted framecarrying rollers in said chamber, whereby film may be passed from onefeeding means in loops over said roll.- ers to the other feeding meansand whereby such loops constitute a reserve supply when the speeds ofthe feeding means are not the same.

21. A machine for the continuous treatment of film having a plurality ofstations for supplying film for treatment, rewinding film aftertreatment and for treating said film, means for moving film from stationto station successivelythrough the machine, and a chamber between two ofsaid stations for storage of a reserve supply of film, a driven sprocketfor engaging and driving film as it enters said chamber from one of saidstations, an independently controllable driven sprocket for engaging anddriving film as it leaves said chamber, and for feeding it to anotherstation, rollers fixed at the top of said chamber and a weighted framecarrying rollers in said chamber, whereby film may be passed from onesprocket in loops over said rollers to the other sprocket and wherebysuch loops constitute a reserve supply when the speeds of the drivensprockets are not the same.

Signed at Fort Lee, New Jersey, this 2- day of May 1922.

CHARLES DE MOOS.

